How Pivotal Metals Uncovered 500m More High-Grade Mineralisation at Horden Lake

Step-Out Drilling Success

Pivotal Metals Limited (ASX, PVT) has announced promising results from its 2025 step-out drilling campaign at the Horden Lake Cu-Ni-Au-PGM-Co Project in Quebec, Canada. The program extended the known shallow mineralisation strike by 500 metres to the southwest, now covering a clearly defined 2,600-metre strike length. This expansion confirms the continuity of the mineralised contact horizon and highlights higher-grade zones within broader mineralised envelopes.

Notable intersections include 4.3% copper equivalent over 0.5 metres within a wider 19.5 metres at 0.71% CuEq, and 2.3% CuEq over 2.6 metres within a 28.3-metre zone at 0.57% CuEq. The two deepest holes delivered some of the highest grades, suggesting mineralisation remains open at depth and may strengthen further below current drilling.

EM Surveys Prove Their Worth

Crucially, the drilling results validate fixed loop time domain electromagnetic (FLTEM) surveys as a high-conviction targeting tool at Horden Lake. The 2025 drill program targeted a shallow conductor identified by the EM survey, which despite its proximity to extensive historic drilling, had not been previously tested. The conductor’s modeled conductivity ranged between 3,000 and 5,000 siemens, while conductors beneath the main deposit reach up to 15,000 siemens and extend hundreds of metres deeper.

This validation opens the door to further exploration of multiple large, undrilled EM anomalies along the 3,200-metre contact zone between gabbro and sedimentary rocks. These anomalies represent compelling targets for expanding the resource base beyond the current footprint.

Resource and Metallurgical Outlook

The updated Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) for Horden Lake remains at 37 million tonnes grading 1.1% copper equivalent, comprising both indicated and inferred categories. The recent drilling results support the potential to grow this resource, particularly given the continuity and widths encountered at shallow depths.

Complementing the resource growth potential, metallurgical testwork confirms excellent recoveries of approximately 90% for copper and 50% for nickel, alongside strong recoveries for precious metals and platinum group elements. These results underpin the project's viability as a high-grade open-pit copper development.

Strategic Positioning and Next Steps

Located 131 km north-northwest of Matagami in Quebec’s James Bay region, Horden Lake benefits from highway access and proximity to established mining infrastructure. Pivotal Metals is advancing the project with a focus on de-risking through engineering, environmental, and economic studies while pursuing further exploration to unlock additional upside.

Managing Director Ivan Fairhall highlighted the significance of the results, emphasizing the validation of EM as a targeting tool and the exciting prospect of multiple undrilled conductors extending from the main deposit. The company’s strategy to develop a large-scale, long-life open-pit copper mine appears increasingly well supported by these findings.